LG G6, IP68, and Salt/Ocean Water

[lightrules]

So the title says it all. Have you/would you put your G6 to the test in ocean water? I'm taking my family to Maui this Fall and REALLY want to use my G6 at the beach and snorkeling. Is the IP68 rating enough to take it to the salt water? I'm reading conflicting info online with some saying they take their IP68 phone (whether Samsung or LG or whatever) in the ocean but then just rinse it off and others saying don't do it.

Your thoughts?

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

No. Don't.

The IP68 rating is rated for freshwater.

Saltwater is a completely different animal. The contents of saltwater can degrade the seals used to keep the device as watertight as possible and in the worst cases, they can degrade to the point where saltwater gets in. Once saltwater gets into the vital components, the device is usually gonna go kaput.

If your device gets into contact with saltwater, immediately fish it out and rinse with freshwater to reduce the chances that the seals will be degraded.

But really, don't get it into saltwater in the first place. An IP rating is not a license to be reckless, but more of a peace-of-mind thing.

OEMs generally won't honor your warranty if the device is found to have liquid damage, regardless if it is rated for water-resistance or not. I personally wouldn't take that risk.

 

[anon(9602380)]

Do you cherish your phones? Then my suggestion would be not to do it. Salt water is very corrosive. Even if the tiniest amount got inside the phone it would corrode parts quickly. So I say why take the chance.

 

[dov1978]

"the LG G6 is IP68-certified for dust and water resistance. Other than the Optimus GJ from 2013 (IPx7), the G6 is the only LG smartphone to offer ingress protection. And even if the IP rating covers freshwater only, LG goes beyond that and specifically states that the G6 is seawater safe as well"

So LG officially state it's seawater safe.

I still wouldn't personally but it's apparently safe to do so

 

[Fred98TJ]

Remember it's "water resistant" NOT "water proof"

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

"the LG G6 is IP68-certified for dust and water resistance. Other than the Optimus GJ from 2013 (IPx7), the G6 is the only LG smartphone to offer ingress protection. And even if the IP rating covers freshwater only, LG goes beyond that and specifically states that the G6 is seawater safe as well"

So LG officially state it's seawater safe.

I still wouldn't personally but it's apparently safe to do so

I still wouldn't do the same.

It may be claimed as such, but seawater is unpredictable to electronics.

 

[Runningwarrior08]

So I am the type of person who does take my phone in the water. But I do so knowing the risks and that I might need a new phone at the end of the day. I had the most waterproof phone there was (Cat S60) it died in 2 inches of water... Was a manufacturer defect so it was replaced. I got lucky. With my G6, it will go into my saltwater pool at home when it is done being installed... But again I do this knowing at any second it could kill my phone. If it dies you may have a chance at a warranty claim since they specifically say sea water. But also remember the IP rating is in a tank sitting still. When you take a stroke while swimming with the phone in that hand you are greatly increasing the pressure on the seals.

 

[Mike Dee]

So the title says it all. Have you/would you put your G6 to the test in ocean water? I'm taking my family to Maui this Fall and REALLY want to use my G6 at the beach and snorkeling. Is the IP68 rating enough to take it to the salt water? I'm reading conflicting info online with some saying they take their IP68 phone (whether Samsung or LG or whatever) in the ocean but then just rinse it off and others saying don't do it.

Your thoughts?

I don't think these phones are designed for under water use. I believe the intent of water resistance is to save the phone from accidental exposure to water.

 

[Aquila]

Water resistance immersion protection is tested with still, room temperature tap water. They place it gently under water, less than 6 feet under the surface and it sits there for 30 minutes with the screen off, before they bring it up and make sure it's working. There is no real world equivalent to this. Swimming, showering, any liquids that aren't clean tap water, etc are not part of the test.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

I don't think these phones are designed for under water use. I believe the intent of water resistance is to save the phone from accidental exposure to water.

Yep, although we've seen ads depicting the device being used underwater in some cases.

 

[TylerLV76]

So the title says it all. Have you/would you put your G6 to the test in ocean water? I'm taking my family to Maui this Fall and REALLY want to use my G6 at the beach and snorkeling. Is the IP68 rating enough to take it to the salt water? I'm reading conflicting info online with some saying they take their IP68 phone (whether Samsung or LG or whatever) in the ocean but then just rinse it off and others saying don't do it.

Your thoughts?

I dont know how deep you plan on snorkeling but I wouldnt recommend taking the phone. I snorkel in Puerto Rico every year and the deepest I go is about 12 feet. The pressure even that shallow is noticeable. Once you factor in salt water and its corrosive nature you're asking for issues. Also, the rating on these phones have a time limit. Its nothing for me to lose track of time and be out for a couple hours.


Look for an Olympus TG-3 or TG-4. They are built for ocean photography and can be had around $300.

 

[Mike Dee]

Yep, although we've seen ads depicting the device being used underwater in some cases.

Yeah, I could see myself wanting to talk and text under water, and it could bring a whole new meaning to "surfing the web".

 

[lightrules]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29rt2rXLkx8

1:10 mark. That's what I'm talking about

Thanks for all the input. I'll need to think about it more.

 

[Aquila]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29rt2rXLkx8

1:10 mark. That's what I'm talking about

Thanks for all the input. I'll need to think about it more.

The first statement at the 1:10 mark is incorrect. The phone isn't waterproof. There are no waterproof phones. He also did say he knows he's not supposed to take it into salt water. Another thing, the screen should never be powered on while any part of the device is wet - these are tested with the screen off and the device sleeping.

 

[Mike Dee]

Though I'm not a fan.... If I were to go under water I would invest in Life Proof case, though they are a bit pricey

 

[Law2138]

I 100% blame manufacturers for leaving it up to consumers to go the extra mile in deciphering what their phone can and cannot do.

The engineering department says, "Well, based on the design and tests..the phone is capable of being in still freshwater in these conditions"

Its like the Marketing department says, "Show scuba and under water shots, show fishtanks, show Lil Wayne and some champagne..."

The Legal department says, "Make sure we're not responsible for water damage because people do all sorts of crazy things."

9/10 consumers are going to accept what Marketing is telling them as a basis for choosing a device. It's only natural.

That other consumer is going to take it to the AC forums, and discuss the issue with other users until the cows come home, then make a decision. You sir, are one of the elite.

 

[Aquila]

I 100% blame manufacturers for leaving it up to consumers to go the extra mile in deciphering what their phone can and cannot do.

The engineering department says, "Well, based on the design and tests..the phone is capable of being in still freshwater in these conditions"

Its like the Marketing department says, "Show scuba and under water shots, show fishtanks, show Lil Wayne and some champagne..."

The Legal department says, "Make sure we're not responsible for water damage because people do all sorts of crazy things."

9/10 consumers are going to accept what Marketing is telling them as a basis for choosing a device. It's only natural.

That other consumer is going to take it to the AC forums, and discuss the issue with other users until the cows come home, then make a decision. You sir, are one of the elite.

True.

 

[Mike Dee]

I 100% blame manufacturers for leaving it up to consumers to go the extra mile in deciphering what their phone can and cannot do.

The engineering department says, "Well, based on the design and tests..the phone is capable of being in still freshwater in these conditions"

Its like the Marketing department says, "Show scuba and under water shots, show fishtanks, show Lil Wayne and some champagne..."

The Legal department says, "Make sure we're not responsible for water damage because people do all sorts of crazy things."

9/10 consumers are going to accept what Marketing is telling them as a basis for choosing a device. It's only natural.

That other consumer is going to take it to the AC forums, and discuss the issue with other users until the cows come home, then make a decision. You sir, are one of the elite.

When I first heard of water resistant phones I never imagined that people wanted to swim with fishes. I thought of water resistance as protection from some of life's accidents.

 

[Law2138]

Mike, I hear ya.

When I got my S6 Active, I was excited to find there was an "Underwater Mode" in the camera app. And when switching to that mode, the on-screen instructions stated to use the physical buttons on the device as the shutter button.

Come to find out, the warranty didn't cover water damage, and only after several rounds of verbal judo with executive consumer relations was I able to get some resolution.

It was only after spending more time on the boards, reading about IP68, and my own experiences, that I learned what my device was capable of.

Marketing wants everyone to see "Waterproof" because "Water-resistant" just isn't as sexy.

 

[Mike Dee]

....... Marketing wants everyone to see "Waterproof" because "Water-resistant" just isn't as sexy.

Sadly some people don't know the difference